Monday, November 2, 2026
59 ° Clear
59 ° Clear
It was chilly and windy for a Saturday morning walk, but that did not stop approximately 50 veterans, along with their families, friends and neighbors, from taking a brisk walk around Playwicki Farm in Feasterville-Trevose.
The second annual 2.2 for the Team Suicide Awareness Walk, held on Oct. 17, was sponsored by the Veterans’ Advisory Council (VAC) of Lower Southampton Township. The event aims to not only build more awareness of suicide by veterans and others in the community but also to encourage the importance of physical fitness and mental health advocacy.
“The walk is aimed at veteran suicide awareness, but we also put an emphasis on suicide awareness in general. The ‘2.2’ is representative of the 22 veterans per day committing suicide, and is intended to honor our fallen brothers and sisters in the veteran community,” explained David Dibelius, who serves as secretary of the council and coordinator for the event.
The walk around Playwicki Farm is 2.2 miles, and it is the main event for VAC during the year, which raised more than $1,000 between sponsorships and donations.
“The Military Order of the Purple Heart, Rich Quinn Chapter from Warminster, placed a field of flags at the entry to the farm at no charge prior to the walk to represent the number of veterans committing suicide monthly, and they are also one of our greatest partners and sponsors of this event,” he noted.
Dibelius is retired from the U.S. Air Force, Pennsylvania Air National Guard. He served for 25 years. He suggested hosting the walk modeled on a national hiking event for suicide awareness for veterans.
“I got involved with a veterans’ nonprofit organization called Irreverent Warriors,” Dibelius said. “Their goal is to have an active role, not in just the awareness of suicide, because veterans are well aware of the problem. Their goal is to actually bring veterans together using a little bit of humor and camaraderie, in an effort to reduce the risk of suicide and reduce the risk of mental health disease and to improve our mental health.”
Dibelius said Irreverent Warriors sponsors one-day, all-day suicide prevention hiking events across the United States and Europe while emphasizing the benefits of mental health and physical activity. The hikes use a military-style approach to brotherhood and sisterhood that many veterans feel they lose after leaving military service.
“As part of the veterans’ council, I approached our board a little over a year ago with the same concept because we have much older vets in certain communities. So, we wanted to do something here because Pennsylvania has one of the highest rates of veteran residents in the country. And, Bucks County has one of the highest rates of veterans in the state,” he said. “We have a Veterans Expo every year which is great, and we go on a trip to Parx Casino. But, what are we doing to actually impact the physical and mental health of our local veterans in our community and our families? If we get 15 people to come out to this and it affects one family out of it, then it's a bona fide success.”
Last year, about 30 people participated in the walk, along with about 10 vendors.
Dibelius noted that there is no charge for participants to walk in the event or for vendors to set up tables. But businesses or community groups are always encouraged to sponsor it, as are family members who want to honor a loved one. Participants also receive a complimentary gift bag, which includes information relevant to veterans’ health and outreach.
The 2026 sponsors include Greater Philadelphia Home Solutions, Casanova’s Kitchen, Tri-State Engineering, Opus Elite Real Estate and Real Grit Company.
“We were joined this year by a representative from Opus Elite Real Estate and by Matt Allen, the director of Bucks County Veterans Affairs, as well as the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Several businesses contributed, including Taste of Philly Soft Pretzels on Bridgetown Pike,” Dibelius said.
“One of the things that I've learned through working with Irreverent Warriors, is that not only are veterans at risk for suicide, but the families of veterans and spouses and children are at a higher risk of suicide based on that veteran service deployment. When a veteran deploys, their spouse or significant other becomes the sole provider at home. Their children become children to a single parent for that amount of time. Children with deployed parents are at a higher risk of mental wellness issues too,” he said.
“When veterans come home from deployment, the veterans typically have to reacclimate to the new normal because while they're gone for six months to a year, their families have created a new normal. It's not normal to the veteran when they come back. So, the risk of suicide attempts or suicide and mental wellness degradation is definitely higher.”
Dibelius said the event is a fundraiser, but the real focus is on bringing awareness to suicide prevention.
“My goal is that we started with 30 people. By the time our fifth-year rolls around, I want to have 150 people show up. One of the easiest things to do to prevent suicide is by living an active lifestyle and exercising. This gives people the opportunity to get a little bit of exercise in, loosen themselves up a bit in a comfortable setting where there is no stress, where there is no TV. It's just a leisurely-paced walk around the park a couple of times.”
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Veterans and Military Affairs, free, confidential support is available 24/7 to veterans or their loved ones. Call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988, then press 1.
In addition to Dibelius and Bordner, the township’s veterans’ council includes Vice President Jarrod Friloux, Treasurer Steve Bradshaw and member Tom Fenerty. Bruce Proven serves as a VAC volunteer.
For more information or to contact the Lower Southampton Township Veterans’ Advisory Council, call 267-982-2199, email lstwp.vac@gmail.com or visit facebook.com/lsvac.
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